Victor Bondarenko is determined to win some silverware with the Birds this season
Ntuthuko Maphumulo
Is it a plane? Is it Superman? No, it’s the Dube birds.
Moroka Swallows are flying high in the Premier Soccer League, sitting
pretty in the top spot in the league.
Moroka Swallows seem to have found their wings again after they had been clipped for a long time. Last season they faced relegation but just managed to fly clear of the relegation zone.
They have a large following, which has shrunk a little in the past few years. Since the season began, though, their fans are flocking back, drawn by the brand of football they now play.
Swallows have won four matches and drawn one since the start of the PSLseason. Coach Victor Bondarenko says: “We are coming right and it is too early to speak much about our lead in the PSL.”
Their run in the Coca-Cola Cup was cut short, however, when they were beaten 1-0 by Amazulu in the preliminary round of the competition (which replaces the Rothmans Cup) on Wednesday.
All hopes of taking home the R2-million first prize were dashed when Amazulu’s Leslie Langa scored a golden goal in the first three minutes of extra time.
Poor finishing by Swallows cost the game as Amazulu defended tightly throughout.
They will have to console themselves with the R125000 they got as losers in this lucrative competition.
Their opening league match was a 1-1 draw against Classic. After that Swallows began to soar with wins against Manning Rangers (2-0), newcomers Black Leopards (3-1) and then Santos (2-1).
Last weekend they beat Supersport United 1-0 to move to the top of the table, with the goal being scored by new signing Naughty Mokoena.
Bondarenko, who was appointed coach late last season, saved the team from relegation and was then asked to stay on for the new season.
Bondarenko has brought discipline and a culture of professionalism to the team and is now calling for the supporters to come and watch them in greater numbers. “We want to see more of our supporters at the stadium,” he says.
Wherever the Russian coach goes he seems to instil discipline in that team. Bondarenko has achieved much glory with South African teams, leading Orlando Pirates to five trophies including the league title, the African Champions league crown and the African Super Cup during his reign there, and taking Bush Bucks to a Bob Save semifinal.
Moroka Swallows have had a barren run in cup competitions and the league, which they won during their heyday in the 1970s.
The last silverware the team won was the Charity Cup in 1992. Bondarenko is determined to ruffle some feathers this year and put some silverware in the Swallows trophy cabinet.